KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Q3 JCC/GK Capital Management Business and Consumer Confidence Indices show that Jamaica was on its strongest economic trajectory in years ahead of Hurricane Melissa.

Consumer confidence climbed to 199 points, up from 186 in the previous quarter, a 6.7 per cent increase and the highest reading in more than two decades.

Business confidence also improved, rising nearly seven per cent to 143.7 points. The investment climate strengthened notably, with 64 per cent of firms reporting that it was a good time to invest.

“These findings serve as a critical historical record,” said Don Anderson, lead researcher for the quarterly indices. “They show that the economy was not stagnating before Hurricane Melissa; it was surging. This pre-storm strength suggests that the private sector has the psychological and financial resilience required to drive the coming reconstruction.”

Prior to the storm, the hotel and tourism sector, now among the hardest hit, recorded the highest confidence levels at 90 per cent. The survey captured responses from 629 consumers and 106 business leaders, marking one of the strongest quarters for national sentiment since 2022.

Although western parishes are now grappling with the effects of the recent hurricane, the data show that before the event, consumer and business confidence outside Kingston had surged.

According to the findings, areas outside the capital posted an index score of 207 points, an 11 per cent increase over the previous quarter. Rural and non-metro communities recorded the highest levels of optimism about future earnings and job prospects in the weeks leading up to the hurricane.

“This data highlights the vibrancy of the Western economy prior to the devastation, underscoring the magnitude of the loss in agricultural zones but also identifying the spirited ambition that recovery efforts must tap into,” the data stated.

Before the storm disrupted business activity, the commercial sector was recording improvements across most major indicators.

Expectations for future economic conditions rose from 44 per cent to 55 per cent quarter-over-quarter, while 57 per cent of firms attributed their optimism to government policies. The Index of Expected Change in Firms’ Financial Standing increased to 175 points, with 77 per cent of firms anticipating higher earnings.

However, the report noted that several structural challenges were already present and are likely to be intensified by the hurricane.

The Index of Current Job Conditions declined by 2.9 per cent, and 30 per cent of firms said they rarely found qualified candidates, a concern the report noted could become more pressing as the country seeks skilled labour for reconstruction.

Small businesses reported the greatest difficulty sourcing talent, highlighting a vulnerability that may slow recovery efforts in western parishes.

The next release of the JCC/GK Capital Management Business and Consumer Confidence Indices is scheduled for January 2026 and is expected to provide the first quantitative assessment of the post-Melissa economic environment.